Hayden Congregational Church UCC
About Us
Our church has been serving the community of Hayden and the Yampa Valley since 1899 and has met in the current building since 1903. Our congregation includes both some of the oldest families in our town and a number of new arrivals. We are also proud to be a church for our whole community by being available to everyone who may not have a “home church” otherwise. Whatever you’re looking for from a church, we hope that you’ll reach out to us.
Join Us
Sunday Mornings
10:00
Join us for coffee or tea in the Parish Hall.
10:30
Worship in the Sanctuary
Kids!
We love our tiny people. On Sundays we have a kid’s message then Sunday School for kids ages 2-10. We also have a nursery with live audio if you need to step out with the littlest ones.
Special Services
Some services don’t fall on a Sunday, like Christmas Eve and Ash Wednesday. Keep your eyes on our Facebook page for special service times.
Weddings, Baptisms & Funerals
If you want to mark a major moment of your life in a church or with a minister, please contact us.
Our Podcast
We know Sunday morning doesn’t always work. You can follow our messages and announcements on Spotify (and hopefully soon on Apple Music). Most recent episodes can be found in this feed. If you like the podcast, make sure to rate, review, and subscribe.
Events
It’s our joy to open our doors wide and often. Below are just a few of the ways we do that apart from our services.
Bingo! Every 3rd Friday of the month, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Come, eat, and play together. All ages are welcome!
5th Sunday Potluck If a month has five Sundays, the fifth is a breakfast potluck that starts at 9:00 am.
Trunk or Treat The Sunday before Halloween, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm. We block off Spruce Street, call together community partners, and celebrate the season.
Thanksgiving The Sunday before Thanksgiving, 11:45 am. We share a Thanksgiving potluck that’s open to all. We always make WAY too much so we can box it up and share it with community members.
Christmas Gift Drive If you need help providing gifts for your kids, please reach out to us and we will confidentially communicate your needs to sponsors in the area.
Vacation Bible School Every summer we host a VBS. It typically runs Monday to Thursday, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm which dinner at the beginning. Watch our Facebook for exact dates.
Our Values
There are three core values of the UCC that we try to live out in our local congregation.
Continuing Testament
“Never place a period where God has placed a comma!” -Gracie Allen
We are rooted in 2,000 years of tradition, but we also look for the ways God is working today and calling us into tomorrow.
Extravagant Welcome
Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
We are not a community of people who have all of the “right” answers, but people who ask questions together.
The UCC prides itself on its many “firsts” including the first African American ordained in a Protestant tradition (1785), first woman ordained as a pastor (1853), and first ordination of an openly gay minister (1973).
Changing Lives
The Gospel becomes good news when it changes the world in ways small and large.
Sometimes those ways are individual and come from the love and support we offer each other.
Other times those changes are about our community while we work to build a just world for all.
Connections
We belong to the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Church of Christ.
We are committed to the UCC mission to be “united and uniting” and maintain active partnerships with other denominations, including…
Disciples of Christ
Reformed Church of America
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
Episcopal Church
Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
United Methodist Church
Leadership
Our pastor is Rev. Dr. Jesse Ophoff. Jesse grew up in Carbondale, CO and has a diverse professional background including chaplaincy, nonprofit community development, research, and education.
He earned his PhD in Early Christian Studies in 2022 and was ordained as a minister in the UCC in 2023. He joined Hayden Congregational Church as pastor in July 2024.
Jesse lives with his wife Brooke and their two kids (ages 5 and 7). Their dog Banjo is the unofficial Director of Outreach. When Jesse’s not doing church things, you’ll find him hiking, foraging, gardening, reading, or playing board games.
As a congregational church, our highest governing body is our Council. The Council is elected by the members of the congregation at our annual meeting. The Council meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm and meetings are open to the public.
Giving
You can donate to our church during our offering or by mail using cash or check. Use the button below to give through our electronic option, Tithe.ly.
We are committed to financial transparency, which includes:
- Regular external audits.
- Open Council meetings.
- Financial summaries on the back of every bulletin.
- Open books. Do you have a specific question? We are happy to help you answer it.
Contact Us
(Please keep in mind that he usually takes Tuesday and Saturday off and may not respond right away. See below if you have an urgent need.)
Email our Administrative Assistant
Would you rather call? You’ll be connected to a volunteer who can help you reach the right person.
Do you need practical help right away?
- We work with Love Inc. for most of these concerns.
Are you considering suicide or self-harm?
- Text or call the National Suicide Hotline at 988.
- Contact the Colorado Crisis Center.
Hayden Congregational Church UCC 